Page 42 of Breakpoint
“Trashy,” Brittany interjected. Dani went to protest, but could only pout because Staci was pretty trashy. “But back to your current love. She seems completely different from every interaction I have ever had with her. She always appeared as if she didn't like people.”
Dani wanted to push back at that statement. “I think it’s more that she doesn’t trust people. Or doesn’t trust easily. I’m realizing a lot of that is from what you also experienced, becoming a professional and essentially a celebrity at a young age.”
“That makes sense. I guess we all have ways of dealing with the limelight when you’re a success.” She continued to stroke her hair, soothing Dani even more.
“I’ve also learned about the racism she has had to endure while on tour, which is something I think most of us are blind to. But it also shaped who she is. So I hope you can have more of an open mind about her in the future.”
“For you, sweetheart, anything.”
Dani smiled at her mother’s support of her relationship with Jaz, but she wanted to bring up the elephant in the room. “You don’t have any concerns about the age difference? That Jaz is much older than me.”
“I admit, no parent thinks about her kid dating someone closer to her age than her daughters.’ And hell, I played matches against her on the tour. But your dad is ten years older than me, and no one batted an eye when we got together in my early twenties.”
Dani never even thought about the age difference between her parents. Maybe it was because they were a heterosexual couple, and no one cared that a man in his early thirties was dating a woman in her early twenties.
“How did you and Dad make it work in the beginning? With traveling, but also the attention that your relationship brought. I’ve seen the old magazine articles and clips on YouTube about your relationship.”
Her mother’s face turned wistful, and she gave that radiant smile that used to be flashed all over televisions and sports magazines.
“When your dad and I started dating, we were playing on different tours and were often in different cities besides the Grand Slam tournaments. It was hard as hell. You’re in one place, they’re in another, and it feels like you’re always trying to make time for each other between tournaments and practices.
But we made it work because we wanted it to.
It took patience and a whole lot of late-night and international calls, and back then they were really expensive. ”
“So just perseverance?” Dani looked at her, unconvinced. That couldn’t have been it. There must be some secret formula.
“Essentially yes. We wanted to make it work against all the obstacles. A dream is only realized if you work for it. And it might feel impossible now, but if you’re both in it for the long haul, you’ll find a way.
” Her mother got this look on her face whenever she talked about her dad. “He was the greatest shot I ever took.”
“I don’t know if I should be happy that my parents are so in love after twenty-five years or barf.” Dani deadpanned.
“Ha-ha.” She laughed and reached out to slap her hand against Dani’s arm in mock anger. “I’m glad I can bring some levity into your life.”
“No real talk, thank you for being here, Mom. When my life is falling apart.”
She gave her side eye at that. “Dramatic much. Your life is not falling apart, Dani.”
“Well, maybe my heart is torn to smithereens. Is that better? Jaz had been a part of everything great in my life over the last six months. She was the person I could talk to when shit was crazy. And now, I don’t know what to do about any of this, and I don’t have my best friend to talk to.
I’ve got no agent, no girlfriend, but this intimate video and these photos are out there lingering.
” Dani lay back on the couch again, lifeless.
She sat and stared at the ceiling, wondering what her life had come to.
But she wanted to share what had been nagging her since Jaz said it, even though she was apprehensive about what it meant.
She looked at her mom and whispered, “Jaz was right about something else. I could have come out publicly, but I didn’t. ”
“Why didn’t you? Your dad and I have known about your sexuality since high school.”
“I don’t know, and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever hidden it. But now, looking back, maybe I did. And that’s not what I want. I know this may not apply to every queer person, but for me, I would much rather live freely and be an example for the world versus not saying anything and being outed.”
Brittany smiled at her proudly. “So then continue to live your truth, sweetheart.”
“But what about this video and photos out there? Do I just sit around and wait for them to release it, then confirm it?”
“What have I always told you about tennis?” Dani looked at her mother, perplexed because she was in a crisis, and why was she changing the subject to tennis? “Sweetheart, it applies in life as well.”
“Don’t just try to exert your power but take theirs away.”
“Yes, take their power away. You do that by anticipating what your opponent is going to do next. Push through that uncertainty.”
“Huh.”
Then a light bulb went off, and she quickly leaned over to get her phone off the coffee table to dial Chris.
Then she remembered she fired him and didn’t have an agent.
She hoped this would neutralize him, too, because she had no doubt he could be vengeful and loved creating attention.
She turned to her mother. “Do you still have connections in the media? Like with a reputable reporter?”
Brittany looked at her, confused. “Sure, I can easily make some calls.”
“Thanks, Mom, you’re the best.” She smiled, and at that moment, she truly meant it .
Brittany took her hands and clasped their fingers together. “Whatever you need from me, I’ve got you.”
These were the same hands that had braided her hair countless times when she was little.
That had held her steady while showing her how to hit her first backhand.
She was still hurting, the pain still a raw ache in her chest, but she wasn’t alone.
Her mother had come through for her when she needed it the most. And somehow, knowing that made all the difference.